by Peter Wilson, Special for USA TODAY

by Peter Wilson, Special for USA TODAY

CARACAS, Venezuela - Tens of thousands of supporters and opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro held peaceful demonstrations Saturday throughout the country, calling for an end to nearly three weeks of rioting that have left at least 11 dead and scores wounded.

But demonstrators differed on how to achieve that peace as both sides vehemently blamed each other for the violence that has left some Venezuelan cities looking like war zones with burned out cars and barricaded streets.

"We are facing a coup de'etat," Maduro told supporters, many carrying flowers and wearing T-shirts emblazoned with peace symbols, at a rally a short distance from the presidential palace. "And we are defeating it."

The pro-government rally was billed as a march by the country's women wanting peace, but many men attended as well.

Maduro, who is facing the biggest political challenge since he was inaugurated in April 2013 to finish the presidential term of the late Hugo Chavez, said that his opponents have no desire for dialogue orpeace. He showed supporters homemade explosive devices filled with nails, which he said had been made by extremists as part of fascist plot to bring down his embattled government.

"There are people who believe that they can take power by setting the country on fire," Maduro said. "They will not return (to power)."

Maduro, 51, also showed his supporters a short video that purported to show illegal acts by opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. Lopez surrendered to police Tuesday to answer charges of conspiracy and sedition in connection to rioting on Feb. 12 that killed three. Lopez, who is being held at a military camp outside Caracas, has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence.

"We are here to march against the fascists threatening our country," said Karla Lopez, 22, a university student. "We want peace, but they just want to overturn all that Chavez and Maduro have done."

Three weeks of steady rioting have dented Maduro's support, which was already suffering because of food shortages. Many Venezuelans, including his supporters in the working class, are complaining about the lack of basic foodstuffs, hand soap, toilet tissue and other necessities.

Analysts say the deeply polarized country is almost evenly divided between Maduro and the opposition. On Friday, Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez warned that he could stop gasoline shipments to cities where fighting persisted. Ramirez, a close Maduro ally and head of the state oil company, didn't give any time frame for action.

At the other end of Caracas, the country's opposition also held a rally, calling for Lopez's release and for the end of violent suppression of protesters.Demonstrations have been spearheaded by university students, who have attacked what they say is the country's deteriorating economic situation, soaring crime, corruption and the erosion of civil liberties.

The country's opposition has repeatedly charged that the country's police and national guard have used excessive force in suppressing the demonstrations, enflaming passions and generating more violence.

Opposition leader Henrique Capriles Radonski, who narrowly lost a special presidential vote in April to Maduro but has yet to recognize his defeat, said government forces have tortured students, and ticked off a list of victims.

"Yes, there is torture in Venezuela today,'' Capriles said, alleging that some of the students had been beaten, raped and burned with gasoline. He said that there have been at least 18 cases of documented torture, disputing Maduro's claims that no students had been mistreated.

Capriles, who appeared next to Lopez's wife, Lilian Tintori, called for the immediate release of her husband, and called Maduro a "mistake of history'' for failing to address the country's pressing problems. He also called on Maduro to disarm pro-government paramilitaries who have been attacking students, often in conjunction with the security forces.

While cautioning his supporters to refrain from violence, Capriles also warned that he and others would fight if pressed.

"We have our gloves off but if you, Nicolas, want us to, we will get in the ring and we will put on our gloves,'' Capriles said. "You will have to deal with millions of Venezuelans in the streets of Venezuela. Don't make a mistake. We are lovers of peace but we will never bow to our knees in front of corrupt politicians."

As the competing rallies were taking place, student Geraldine Moreno died from wounds suffered earlier during protests in the central industrial city of Valencia. She is the 11th person killed in the ongoing violence.

"I am here supporting my son,'' said Pablo Perez, 54, a businessman who was wearing a white T-shirt for peace at the opposition rally. "He has been peacefully protesting as is his right. This is the least I can do."

Maduro repeatedly blamed the United States and former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe for backing his opponents. On Friday night, Maduro called for talks with the United States, even as he blasted U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for earlier remarks criticizing Maduro's handling of the crisis.

"The government's use of force and judicial intimidation against citizens and political figures ... is unacceptable and will only increase the likelihood of violence," Kerry said in a statement.

Neither Venezuela nor the U.S. are represented in each other's capitals by ambassadors, following tit-for-tat expulsions. In the pastyear, Venezuela has expelled eight American diplomats, charging them with participating in questionable activities.

After calling his opponents fascists and coupsters throughout his speech, Maduro said he would provide details on Sunday of a meeting set for Wednesday that aims to resolve differences and ease tensions.

Student protests erupted earlier this month in the southwestern city of San Cristobal, initially focusing on the country's spiraling crime. Venezuela, a country of nearly 30 million, had about 25,000 murders last year, according to a non-government agency. Caracas is now the world's third-most dangerous city per its murder rate.

Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves, but has been slow to develop them. The country has strict foreign exchange controls which have stifled imports and led to shortages. Venezuela imports about 70% of the products it consumes.